Dear friends: Thank you for your generosity, partnership and advocacy with Ballad Health Foundation as we seek to improve health outcomes in the Appalachian Highlands. Through your support, we have stood by some of our most vulnerable neighbors when they’ve needed us the most. Ballad Health remains committed to our mission, and our infectious disease team is working in close contact with local and state health departments, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep our neighbors safe. As you seek out accurate information on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), I encourage you to stay updated and informed by visiting Ballad Health’s COVID-19 response page, available at www.balladhealth.org/COVID19. Because social distancing has demonstrated efficacy in “flattening the curve” of infection rates, Ballad Health Foundation’s team members and Board of Trustees have made several amendments to our spring events calendar: Dickenson Community Hospital Radio Auction, scheduled for April 4-5 (benefiting Dickenson County…

PLEASE READ AND CASCADE TO ALL TEAM MEMBERS   TO: Ballad Health All FROM: Eric Deaton, CEOC Incident Commander DATE: March 19, 2020 TITLE: Team member PTO/MML use, job assignments and identification of high-risk team members ACTION: Please cascade to all team members   Our healthcare facilities are vital public services, especially during a potential health crisis like the one we are facing now. We cannot stress enough the importance of being able to provide for the needs of our patients and medical staff. These are extraordinary circumstances, and they have required us to activate our Incident Command process. In preparation for the rapidly changing environment and potential staffing needs, we want to clarify staffing expectations and the appropriate use of personal time off (PTO) and major medical leave (MML). We are all expected to be available to provide the services required to meet the needs of our region. Based on the changing circumstances, some of…

  TO: Ballad Health All FROM: Lisa Smithgall, PhD, Senior Vice President/Chief Nursing Executive DATE: March 19, 2020 RE: Team member attendance expectation for scheduled clinical education and organizational development classes   As Ballad Health continues its work to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), all ongoing clinical education, organizational development and American Heart Association Training Center courses will continue as scheduled, to ensure competency, regulatory compliance and individual team member-required education and orientation. Attendance at scheduled education courses for team members is considered the same as the evaluation of team members’ health status for scheduled work shifts. Team members who are ill or have a fever will not be permitted to attend educational classes, in the same manner as they would not be permitted to work in their primary work location. At the beginning of each Ballad Health educational class, the class instructor will complete the team member screening for course attendees…

NOTE: This message was sent from Ballad Health Human Resources to all team members on Monday, March 16.   In an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, we will be implementing screenings for all team members entering Ballad Health facilities and locations effective March 17, 2020. Each department, in all facilities, including acute care, long-term care, Corporate and Ballad Health Medical Services entities, should identify designated managers, supervisors, charge personnel or others that will conduct daily screening of all team members on all shifts. A log of screenings should be kept at all times. Screening will include the following questions: In the last two weeks have you traveled outside of our region? Generally speaking, do you feel well? If no, ask about the specific symptoms identified below. In the last 24 hours have you experienced any of the following: Fever Sore throat Nasal congestion Body aches Cough If the answer to any symptoms…

NOTE: If you have questions about our COVID-19 response, email our Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) at BalladHealthCorporateEOC@balladhealth.org. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – To help contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as protect patients and team members, all Ballad Health hospitals and long-term care facilities are implementing new visitation guidelines. As of Monday, March 16, all Ballad Health hospitals will limit their public entry points and engage all visitors in screening protocols. Visitors will also be limited to one guest per patient, and no visitors under age 12 will be allowed. Specific entrances vary per facility, and each one is clearly identified for the public. Ballad Health team members can still access restricted areas through their employee badges. Additionally, before visitors can see patients, they will answer several questions to evaluate any potential COVID-19 risk. If needed, visitors might have their temperatures checked, be given masks or not be permitted to visit. Exceptions…

Here’s a very brief WJHL-TV video interview with Alan Levine about Ballad Health’s decision to limit visitation and implement screenings in our facilities. This was aired on Friday, March 13.    

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Due to the threat of the COVID 19 pandemic, the 18th annual Diabetes Symposium that was scheduled for April 24 has been postponed until Friday, Aug. 28. The symposium will take place at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Any interested physicians, nurse practitioners, registered and licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, pharmacists and other health professionals are encouraged to participate. Remote video locations and more information will be announced closer to the rescheduled date.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – As NASCAR recently announced, the Food City 500 race weekend April 3-5 at Bristol Motor Speedway has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. Ballad Health’s call for team members to serve on the event medical team is on hold, and more details will be released once the race is rescheduled. BMS officials will continue to work closely with NASCAR on a rescheduled race date, while maintaining contact with local and federal government and health officials for the latest information on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ballad Health serves as the official medical provider for Bristol Motor Speedway events. For the latest news, including information for fans who had previously purchased tickets, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

NOTE: This message was sent from the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center to Ballad Health leaders on March 14, 2020, to cascade to all team members. For all questions related to COVID-19, email our CEOC at BalladHealthCorporateEOC@balladhealth.org.   As of Monday, March 16, we will adhere to a restricted visitation policy at all hospitals. We ceased all visitation for long-term care facilities as of Thursday, March 12. Hospital visitation restrictions are as follows: Limit public entry points Engage all visitors in screening protocols, including temperature checks Prohibit visitors under age 18 Limit visitation to one guest per patient. Patients in birthing centers or pediatric units may have two visitors. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for hospice and end-of-life care. To support these temporary visitation restrictions, we have shipped the following items to your facilities. They will be received by your House Supervisor by 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15: Visitation signs…

Here is the Ballad Health senior leadership COVID-19 update, sent March 13, 2020, from the Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) to be cascaded down to all team members. For more information about our response to COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 web pages: Internally on the Ballad Health intranet (look under Quick Links) Externally on BalladHealth.org Here’s our previous announcement about Ballad Health’s response to COVID-19. For any questions, email our CEOC at BalladHealthCorporateEOC@balladhealth.org.   As of Monday, March 16, Ballad Health will be adhering to the following guidelines: Visitation restrictions Hospitals Limit their public entry points Engage all visitors in screening protocols, including temperature checks Prohibit visitors under age 18 Limit visitation to one guest per patient. Patients in birthing centers or pediatric units may have two visitors. Exceptions can be made a case-by-case basis for hospice and end-of-life care. Long-term care Ballad Health has ceased all visitation for its long-term care facilities. Exceptions can be made…

We’ve released important information for our team members as we respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. If you have questions, email our Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) at BalladHealthCorporateEOC@balladhealth.org. Click here to read PDF versions of these messages: Know, Share, Do update containing some of the most crucial info you need to know Frequently Asked Questions as well as talking points for team members Ballad Health travel guidelines message from Debbie Dover, chief human resources officer You can also read this press release about Ballad Health’s response to COVID-19.  

Health system opens hotline for potential COVID-19 cases Following Tuesday’s announcement of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the region, Ballad Health has taken steps to expand its response and preparedness efforts. FIRST, Ballad Health has activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) to coordinate response efforts across the system and around the region. The CEOC is composed of key leaders overseeing essential functions of the health system. The Board of Directors of Ballad Health has acted to delegate its full authority to the Chairman and CEO to ensure rapid response to the rapidly changing situation. Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine has appointed Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton to serve as Incident Commander for the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center. The delegation of authority permits the Incident Commander to deploy resources rapidly and to implement policies as necessary to ensure the Appalachian Highlands is best-served. “COVID-19 has arrived in our region,…